Card punch

ABSTRACT

A pocketable computer card punch, having a base plate grooved to the width of the card and having a row of die holes across the groove and spaced to correspond to the rows on the card, and a punch slidably mounted on the base to be displaced across the groove above the die holes, with a detent for positioning the punch, located to correspond to each die hole position, and graduations on the base corresponding to the columns on the card, all so that the card may be slid across the base, guided by the groove to bring a selected column over the row of dies as indicated by the appropriate graduations, and the punch then moved across above the card to the desired row, detained there accurately positioned, and operated to punch a hole in the card at the selected number.

[451 Sept. 2a, 1974 Primary ExaminerJ. M. Meister Stanle T. Schneider7246 Pershin Ave {jniversity MO 63130 g Attorney, Agent, orFzrm--Rogers, Ezell & Eilers v Dec. 7, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl.No.: 312,962 A pocketable computer card punch, having a base plategrooved to the width of the card and having a row of die holes acrossthe groove and spaced to corond to the rows on the card, and a punchslidably United States ?atent [191 Schneider CARD PUNCH [76] Inventor:

22 Filed:

resp

mounted on the base to be displaced across the groove above the dieholes, with a detent for positioning the punch, located to correspond toeach die hole posi- 004 3 41 9 6 2 5/16 M3 9 00 6 2 B 2 5 n 4 3 4w 8 9 3w w; m 2 m we 8 UN mmoo m mh .c u "r. u "a n n :1 C l0 WM t. e U mm 11]2 00 5 55 .l. [rt

tion, and graduations on the base corresponding to the columns on thecard, all so that the card may be slid across the base, guided by thegroove to bring a selected column over the row of dies as indicated bythe appropriate graduations, and the punch then moved across above thecard to the desired row, detained there accurately positioned, andoperated to punch a hole in the card at the selected number.

12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures I l wb hu aa DR 0 3 9 CARD PUNCHBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore there has been no satisfactoryportable punching device for putting holes accurately in selectednumbers of computer cards such as IBM cards. These cards have numeralson them in carefully measured positions, in columns and rows across thecard. It is necessary that the punch holes be accurate, as the computeris operated in accordance with the positions of the holes.

Ordinarily the cards are punched by a punching machine operated by akeyboard; but such machines are costly, non-portable and normally arelocated only at some central location. Consequently, to punch his cardon such machine, the person must go to some central location and awaithis turn at the machine. This is tedious and costly in time. The presentpunch can be carried around in a pocket so as to be usable on location,or in class or at a desk. It is accurate and simple to operate, havingvisible indexes by which a card can be positioned to dispose the desiredcolumn beneath the punch, and positioning means by which the punch canbe accurately aligned with any line on the card selected for punching.

Thus, to facilitate use of the present invention, its base has a shallowgroove the true width of a card. The card is placed in this groove andcan be slid therein along the base. The base is graduated so that whenthe edge of the card is brought against a designated graduation on thebase, it will put the appropriate column on the card under the punchingmechanism. The punching mechanism is designed to make it possible toline up the edge of the card with graduated lines appropriate tosubstantially all of the columns. The punch is movable accuratelytransversely across the board, and punch detent means are provided inalignment with each line of numbers on the card, so that the punch canbe securely held in a position corresponding to the selected row ofdigits on the card. The operation of the punch is manual.

The objects of the invention are those above stated together with othersthat will appear from the following description.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the device with the punchhandle removed;

FIG. 2 is an edge view from the bottom of FIG. 1, partly broken away,the punch being shown also in dashed lines to indicate a secondposition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the punch taken on theline 33 of FIG. 1, the punch being retracted;

FIG. 4 is a section at right angles to FIG. 3, taken on the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the punch depressed througha card;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the punch depressed through acard;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the device in reduced scale with a card inplace;

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 but at the scale of FIG.1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the base with a corner of acard in position;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the device at the scale of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a view of a card showing typical numbers thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device includes a base orplate 20 and a punching mechanism generally designated at 21. The base20 can be made of plastic material, preferably of the thermosettingtype, which is durable for the type of wear here contemplated. Also, itcan be made accurate in dimension, and has minimal changes in responseto temperature changes.

The plate has a shallow recess or groove 23 in its upper face. Thisrecess is accurately dimensioned to the width of a punch card, such as atypical IBM type computer card 25. This recess or groove 23 is deepenough to insure that the card will be held easily but accurately forsliding along with the upper and lower edges of the card engaging theedges of the groove.

As noted, the card 25 has, in a typical case, rows of numbers 26, thenumbers being 0 through 9. Two undesignated rows for punching arelocated above the 0 row. Each row is made up of a series of digits ofthe same value that are equally spaced from each other to provide aplurality, here 80, columns of numbers, each column comprising a series0-9. There are top and bottom rows of small numbers 28 that sequentiallydesignate the several columns. One can therefore identify any particularposition on the card by its number and column.

The punching arrangement includes a die plate 30 embedded in the plate20, being secured snugly in an appropriate recess in the upper surfaceof the plate 20 with its upper surface preferably flush with the surfaceof the groove 23 upon which the card 25 rests. The die plate 30 has arow of rectangular die cutting openings 31 in it. These openings areaccurately spaced to correspond with the rows of numbers on the card.Below the die plate 30, the base 20 is provided with a narrow slot 33through which punch cut-outs may fall and be discharged, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The punch mechanism overlies the die plate 30, andincludes a punch support comprising a left-hand plate 35 that can beformed unitarily or otherwise with opposite posts 36 and 37. The endposts are mounted, and rise up from, the margin of the base 20. Thisitem is preferably made of metal.

A punch-supporting circular slide rod 39 is secured between the twoposts 36 and 37 and extends across above the card recess or groove 23 inthe base 20. The rod 39 supports a punch block 42 for sliding movementacross the groove 23, and the card. The block 42 has a sufficient widththat it can travel smoothly on the rod 39 and will not wobble. The block42 has a rounded corner 43 to permit it to be swung up around the rod 39to a position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 or to move down to thefull line position wherein its bottom surface is flush with a topsurface of the plate 35.

The punch block has a recess 44 vertically through it. The lower part ofthis recess closely fits a punch shaft 45 to confine it slidably in avertical direction. The upper part of the recess 44 is enlarged toreceive the lower end of a compression spring 46 surrounding the punchshaft 45 and confined between the bottom of the recess and a thumbhandle 47 on the upper end of the shaft 45. The lower end of the shaft45 has a punch 50 formed on it, that is adapted to be pressed downwardlyto project its lower end through the slot 56 to engage a card within thegroove 23, and acting against the sharpened edges of one of the holes31, to punch a rectangular hole through the card. Upward movement of thepunch is limited by a pin or set screw 51, secured through the punch rod45, the ends of which pin ride in opposite notches 52 extending up fromthe bottom of the punch block 42.

The punch block 42 extends over another elongated plate 55 that issecured to the margins of the base and spans the card recess 23, abovethe bottom thereof. The plates and 55 abut at their ends over themargins of the card recess 23, but are cut back above the row of dieholes to form a slot 56 somewhat wider than the holes 31 and throughwhich the holes may be seen. The plate 55 has a plurality of detentrecesses or holes 57, one for each row of numerals on the card, and onefor each of the so-called l 1 and l2 punches. The punch block 42 has asmall projection 58 that selectively fits closely into any of therecesses 57. Thus, when the slide is rocked to the dashed-line positionof FIG. 2, it can be slid along the rod 39 until it comes to the desiredrow. Then it is returned to the full-line position of FIG. 2 and itsprojection 58 is engaged into the appropriate recess 57 for that row.The fit is close enough to insure a precise alignment of the punch withthe die for that row and for the numeral to be punched.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 9, the base 20 within the bottom ofthe groove 23 has a plurality of linear graduations 60. These preferablyextend all the way across the groove and correspond in number to thenumber of columns on the card 25. It will be observed that on the leftside of the groove 23 in FIG. 1 the graduations are numbered from 2 to40 with even numbers at the top and intervening odd numbers at thebottom. On the right side the numbers go from 41 to 79. The two plates35 and are notched or cut back over the numbers identifying thegraduations so that a maximum number of graduations could be madevisible.

Use of the Device To use the device, a card 25 is inserted into the cardrecess or groove 23 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. It will be seen thatthe card fits closely within the groove 23 and its upper and lower edgesengage and can slide along the walls of the recess, so that the numeralson the card are precisely positioned with respect to the die holes 31.

If the right edge of the card is moved to an appropriate graduation suchas the line 62 shown in FIG. 9, the column 62 will appear precisely onthe center line of the row of die openings 31. Similarly, the right edgeof the card 25 may be brought to any of the graduations to the rightside of the base 20. Because of the nature of the punch support and thenecessary strength and rigidity thereof, it is impossible to have all ofthe graduations visible. A few, here graduations for columns 1 and 80,may not be visible because covered by the punch mechanism. Nevertheless,the identification number 28 for these two columns, or the columnsthemselves, can be seen easily through the slot 56 in the plate 55 andcentered therein.

When the card has been thus located to dispose the desired column overthe line of the die holes 31, the punch is then raised or rocked to thedashed-line position of FIG. 2, slid transversely of the card recess 23to the appropriate line on the card, then rocked back to the full-lineposition, and located precisely by causing the projection 58 to engagein the recess 57 appropriate to that line. The punch is then depressed,and the appropriate hole is cut in the card.

Because the card is accurately positioned, and the parts are made asdescribed, the punch holes are as accurately positioned as they would beby a larger machine, yet the machine may be made inexpensively and is ofsuch size and weight that it can be carried in the pocket or briefcase.

Various changes and modifications may be made within this invention aswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention asdefined by the claims appended hereto.

I claim: I

1. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in anydesired row and any desired column: a base having a guiding edge againstwhich a computer card may be held and the edge having a length so thatthe card is guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precisepath; a slide for a punch block fixed with respect to the base andspaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over the basebetween the base and the slide while guided by the guiding edge; a punchblock having a punch movably mounted'therein, the block being movablysecured to and movable about the fixed slide into and out of engagementwith indexing means at selected positions across the card; a die fixedon the base having a row of die cutting openings arranged across the diesupport to correspond to the rows of numerals on the computer card, thedie being located adjacent the slide so that the punch can be movedacross the card to overlie any die opening to punch a hole thereat.

2. In a device of claim 1, the base having two opposite edges adapted tofit against the opposite longitudinal edges of the computer card, thepunch slide being mounted at its ends at the margins of the base andoverlying the recess.

3. In the device of claim 1: the base comprising a plate having acard-receiving recess approximately the size of a computer card, andgraduations on the base corresponding to the columns on the card, thegraduations being registrable with an edge of the card and bearingindicia to designate the column overlying the die openings when the edgeis at a graduation.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the base has a length in the directionof movement of the card of at least about one-half the length of thecard, and having graduations spaced in accordance with the spacing ofthe columns on the card, the graduations being so related to the row ofdie cutting openings that when the edge of the card is aligned with agraduation, the row of openings will underlie a column on the card.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the base has a length at least aboutthe length of the card, and wherein the graduations number approximatelythe number of columns on the card.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the slide is located to dispose thepunch midway between the ends of the base.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the punch is pivotable on the fixedslide into and out of engagement with the indexing means.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the slide passes through the punchblock and the punch is pivotable about the slide into and out ofengagement with the indexing means.

9. In the device of claim 8, the punch slide comprising a rod, the punchblock having a complementary opening slidably engaged over the rod, thepunch block being rockable to enable it to be lifted away from thepunch-holding means;

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the slide is a rod, having a circularcross section.

11. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in anydesired row and any desired column, a base having an edge against whichthe computer card may be held and guided for lateral movement in acontrolled and precise path, the base comprising a plate having a cardreceiving recess approximately the size of a computer card andgraduations on the base corresponding to the columns of the card, thegraduations being registerable with an edge of the card and havingindicia to designate the column overlying the die openings when the edgeis at a graduation; a slide for a punch block mixed with respect to thebase and spaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over thebase between the base and slide; a punch movable on the slide toselected positions across the card; a die on the base having a row ofdie cutting openings arranged across the die support to correspond tothe rows of numerals on the computer card, the die being locatedadjacent the slide so that the punch can be moved across the card tooverlie any die opening to punch a hole thereat.

12. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in anydesired row and any desired column, a base having an edge against whicha computer card may be held and guided for lateral movement in acontrolled and precise path; a slide rod for a punch block fixed withrespect to the base and spaced therefrom so that a punch card may bepassed over the base between the base and the slide rod; a punch blockhaving a complimentary opening slidably engaged over the slide rod; apunch mounted on the punch block; a punch holding means mounted on thebase; the punch block being rockable to enable it to be lifted away fromthe punch holding means; a die on the base having a row of die cuttingopenings arranged across the base to correspond to the rows of numeralson the computer card, the die being located adjacent the slide so thatthe punch can be moved across the card to overlie any die openings topunch a hole thereat; the punch being selectively in registery with eachdie cutting opening.

1. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in anydesired row and any desired column: a base having a guiding edge againstwhich a computer card may be held and the edge having a length so thatthe card is guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precisepath; a slide for a punch block fixed with respect to the base andspaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over the basebetween the base and the slide while guided by the guiding edge; a punchblock having a punch movably mounted therein, the block being movablysecured to and movable about the fixed slide into and out of engagementwith indexing means at selected positions across the card; a die fixedon the base having a row of die cutting openings arranged across the diesupport to correspond to the rows of numerals on the computer card, thedie being located adjacent the slide so that the punch can be movedacross the card to overlie any die opening to punch a hole thereat. 2.In a device of claim 1, the base having two opposite edges adapted tofit against the opposite longitudinal edges of the computer card, thepunch slide being mounted at its ends at the margins of the base andoverlying the recess.
 3. In the device of claim 1: the base comprising aplate having a card-receiving recess approximately the size of acomputer card, and graduations on the base corresponding to the columnson the card, the graduations being registrable with an edge of the cardand bearing indicia to designate the column overlying the die openingswhen the edge is at a graduation.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thebase has a length in the direction of movement of the card of at leastabout one-half the length of the card, and having graduations spaced inaccordance with the spacing of the columns on the card, the graduationsbeing so related to the row of die cutting openings that when the edgeof the card is aligned with a graduation, the row of openings willunderlie a column on the card.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein thebase has a length at least about the length of the card, and wherein thegraduations number approximately the number of columns on the card. 6.The device of claim 4, wherein the slide is located to dispose the punchmidway between the ends of the base.
 7. The device of claim 1 whereinthe punch is pivotable on the fixed slide into and out of engagementwith the indexing means.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the slidepasses through the punch block and the punch is pivotable about theslide into and out of engagement with the indexing means.
 9. In thedevice of claim 8, the punch slide comprising a rod, the punch blockhaving a complementary opening slidably engaged over the rod, the punchblock being rockable to enable it to be lifted away from thepunch-holding means.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the slide is arod, having a circular cross section.
 11. In a device for accuratelypunching holes in computer cards in any desired row and any desiredcolumn, a base having an edge against which the computer card may beheld and guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precise path,the base comprising a plate having a card receiving recess approximatelythe size of a computer card and graduations on the base corresponding tothe columns of the card, the graduations being registerable with an edgeof the card and having indicia to designate the column overlying the dieopenings when the edge is at a graduation; a slide for a punch blockmixed with respect to the base and spaced therefrom so that a punch cardmay be passed over the base between the base and slide; a punch movableon the slide to selected positions across the card; a die on the basehaving a row of die cutting openings arranged across the die support tocorrespond to the rows of numerals on the computer card, the die beinglocated adjacent the slide so that the punch can be moved across thecard to overlie any die opening to punch a hoLe thereat.
 12. In a devicefor accurately punching holes in computer cards in any desired row andany desired column, a base having an edge against which a computer cardmay be held and guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precisepath; a slide rod for a punch block fixed with respect to the base andspaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over the basebetween the base and the slide rod; a punch block having a complimentaryopening slidably engaged over the slide rod; a punch mounted on thepunch block; a punch holding means mounted on the base; the punch blockbeing rockable to enable it to be lifted away from the punch holdingmeans; a die on the base having a row of die cutting openings arrangedacross the base to correspond to the rows of numerals on the computercard, the die being located adjacent the slide so that the punch can bemoved across the card to overlie any die openings to punch a holethereat; the punch being selectively in registery with each die cuttingopening.